Ibrahima Diallo never felt like he found his footing in the 2025 season, his junior year at Olympia High School.

A week before the team’s “Spaghetti Bowl” rivalry game against Capital High School, Diallo was lying on the operating table having his appendix removed.

Even when he returned a month later, Diallo never felt like he got up to full strength.

“I wasn’t as strong as I was supposed to because I couldn’t do anything,” he said. “I couldn’t walk or work out.”

He played in some games but didn’t feel like he was anywhere near his potential.

Two things changed heading into 2026: Diallo spent the entire offseason in the weight room, and Olympia hired Cary Nagel, who has a history of establishing dominant, run-heavy offenses.

Nagel turned small-school Tenino into a state contender and helped orchestrate a complete program turnaround at Franklin Pierce as an assistant, running the Power T offense.

Olympia is running a hybrid of the Wing-T and Power T this year, giving Diallo plenty of chances to shine. He has made the most of them.

Diallo, a senior, has been one of the state’s best running backs this fall. In seven games, he has 1,427 rushing yards, good for 204 yards per game. He has found the back of the end zone 19 times.

Against Yelm, he rushed for a season-high 355 yards and six touchdowns. He has four games with over 200 yards on the ground. In humble fashion at practice Tuesday, Diallo downplayed his individual success.

“It’s been fun, you know,” he told The News Tribune. “In the game, I’m not really focused on that. I’m focused on running, just running the ball. And then when I see that after the game, it’s pretty fun celebrating with my family and the team.”

He’s a major part of Olympia’s turnaround this season. The Bears went 5-5 last season. This year, Olympia is 6-1 heading into an important Week 8 home game against Bethel on Friday night.

Sure, Nagels’ run-heavy scheme — and his ability to successfully implement and coach it — have played a role in Diallo’s success. But 200 yards per game isn’t solely the result of a system.

“He’s a great competitor,” Nagel said. “His speed is flashy. He’s explosive. He can lower his shoulder and be powerful when he really needs to. Our coaches are doing a good job of putting people in good positions. … He’s a complete back. … When he’s in space, he makes people miss.”

Diallo didn’t even know what football was until he was nearly a teenager. He grew up in Senegal, and the only sport people cared about there was soccer. Once his family moved to the United States, he quickly grew attached to the sport.

“My instincts really went into football,” he said. “And I just fell in love with it.”

Nagel heaped praise onto Diallo, who is a good student, respectful and speaks four languages (French, Wolof, Pulaar and English). Perhaps his success will spark a newfound interest in Olympia football in the hallways of the high school. Nagel hopes so, at least.

“I think people at the school will see that, and I think it’ll bring more talent out,” Nagel said. “And the community and the kids that are coming up to see us have success, I think that’s big, too.”